Gaura lindheimerii plant named ‘Gausudre’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Gaura lindheimerii  plant with a compact growth habit, large deep rose colored flowers, and a long blooming season.

Botanical classification: Gaura lindheimerii.

Varietal denomination: ‘Gausudre’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Gauralindheimerii known by the varietal name ‘Gausudre’. The new varietyoriginated in a planned breeding program in The Netherlands as a resultof cross breeding Gaura ‘Siskyou Pink’ (female parent, unpatented) andan unnamed short form Gaura (male parent, unpatented). The new varietyis more compact and exhibits more free branching and a deeper flowercolor than both parents, which met the goals of the breeding program.The large and uniformly colored flowers of ‘Gausudre’ differ from otherGaura lindheimerii varieties known to the breeder. The new variety wasfirst asexually reproduced by rooted terminal tip cuttings in TheNetherlands. The new variety has been trial and field tested and hasbeen found to retain its distinctive characteristics and remain true totype through successive propagations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the new variety, withthe color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrationsof this type:

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the new variety;

FIG. 2 is a close-up photograph of the new variety; and

FIG. 3 is a close-up photograph of the flowers of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew cultivar grown outside in peat-based compost in 17 cm pots with noextra fertilizer in The Netherlands. The data which defines thesecharacteristics was collected by asexual reproductions by cuttings. Thecolor readings were taken in The Netherlands under natural daylight.Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society of London.

PLANT

-   Time to initiate roots: About 9 days at 21° C.-   Time to develop roots: About 28 days at 20° C.-   Time to produce a finished flowering plant from a rooted cutting:    About 8 weeks in a 9.0 cm container.-   Form: Upright and rounded.-   Stem:    -   -   Diameter.—Average of 3.5 mm.        -   Color.—145A flushed with 59A.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Pubescence.—Light.        -   Form.—Erect.-   Height: Blooms are 35 cm above soil with a stem height of    approximately 15 cm when grown in a pot.-   Diameter: In a pot, the plant grows to 25 cm in diameter. When grown    in the ground, the new variety grows to 35 cm in diameter.-   Vigor: Medium.-   Branching habit: Free.-   Lateral branches:    -   -   Diameter.—Average of 2.0 mm.        -   Internode length.—Average of 1.0 cm.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Pubescence.—Light.        -   Color.—Approximately 59A to 59B with some 145A as the stem            matures.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—Single; alternate.        -   Size of leaf.—Length: 4.2 cm average. Width: 0.9 cm average.        -   Shape of leaf.—Oblanceolate.        -   Shape of apex.—Acute.        -   Shape of base.—Attenuate.        -   Texture.—Soft.        -   Margin type.—Slightly undulate and entire.        -   Pubescence.—Slight on both upper and lower surfaces.-   Color:    -   -   Young leaves.—Upper surface: 137B to 137C, with a flushing            of 59B. Lower surface: 137B to 137C, with a flushing of 59B.        -   Mature leaves.—Upper surface: 146A to 146B, with a light            flushing of 59B. Lower surface: 146B to 146C.-   Petiole:    -   -   Length.—Average of 4.0 mm.        -   Diameter.—Average of 2.0 mm.        -   Color.—146B with a flushing of the vein being 59B.-   Veins:    -   -   Type.—Regular.        -   Color (both surfaces).—Younger leaves have a 60A color            becoming 146B in older leaves.

FLOWER

-   Bud:    -   -   Stage when bud characteristics determined.—1 to 2 days prior            to opening.        -   Shape.—Linear.        -   Diameter.—2.5 mm average.        -   Length.—19 mm average.        -   Color.—Main body is 60A with the tip color being 59A.-   Natural flowering season: Flowering begins in April and continues    until the middle of October.-   Spike:    -   -   Number of flowers.—Average 22.        -   Length.—18 cm above foliage.        -   Diameter across bloom.—6.4 cm average.-   Corolla:    -   -   Form.—Zygomorphic.        -   Petals/lobes.—Number: 4. Length: 20 mm average. Width: 11 mm            average. Shape: Obovate. Margin: Entire. Texture and            appearance: Smooth, matte. Color (when opening): Both            surfaces: 61C with veins of 61B. Color (when fully opened):            Both surfaces: 61D with veins of 61B to 61C.-   Calyx:    -   -   Form.—Fused at tip.        -   Length.—16 mm average.        -   Diameter.—2.0 mm average.        -   Sepal shape.—Linear.        -   Sepal margin.—Entire.        -   Sepal texture.—Smooth, slightly pubescent.        -   Sepal size.—Length: 16 mm average. Width: 1.5 mm average.        -   Sepal color.—Upper surface: 60A. Lower surface: 60A.-   Fragrance: None.-   Disease resistance: Good.-   Temperature tolerance: Good.-   Drought tolerance: Good.-   Lasting quality: Flowers last 1-2 days individually.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—8 per flower.        -   Filament length.—11 mm average.        -   Anthers.—Shape: Linear. Length: 3.0 mm. Color: 60A.        -   Pollen.—Color: 3B. Amount: Plentiful.-   Pistils:    -   -   Length.—23 mm average.        -   Style.—Length: 21 mm average. Color: 61C to 61D.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Cruciform. Color: 8D.-   Seeds: None produced.

1. A new and distinct variety of Gaura lindheimerii plant substantiallyas shown and described.